The big Cuchon/Rouanne circuit

Description

A large circuit taking you up to the magnificent panorama from the summit of Le Cuchon before a return down to Ancelle and, in complete contrast, the plain of La Chaup, a light-filled and strangely flat basin in the midst of steep mounts. This trail leaves from the Libouze plateau, where there is already plenty to do, with picnic tables and a pond containing midwife toads and Alpine newts. At the summit of the Cuchon, an orientation table is a chance to revise the view: can you spot Le Vieux Chaillol or the Pic de Gleize? From the Libouse plateau, head for Sous-le-Bois-Fustier, then take the GR50 towards Serre Laguenia. Leave the GR50 and continue to the Prés Jaunes cabin, then to the summit of Le Cuchon. You then head for Ancelle through the Rouanne valley via Le Ranc and Simonde. Continue on to Oratoire, Le Peintre, Chabottes, Le Moulin, La Rase, Château Lombard and as far as Les Faix. 400m after Les Faix, you meet up with the GR50 again, on the right, and then continue to Champ Garaille. Leave the GR50 and return to Sous-le-Bois-Fustier and the Libouse plateau.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Plateau de Libouse, Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes, Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/950774-La-grande-boucle-Le-CuchonRouanne). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 686 m, Parc national des Écrins